Inaugural Strawberry Picking Challenge Raises Approximately $75,000 For Redlands Christian Migrant Association
(PLANT CITY, FL) – The Inaugural Bright House Networks Strawberry Picking Challenge, hosted by Wish Farms raised approximately $75,000 for Redlands Christian Migrant Association.
The fundraising event, held on Saturday February 8, featured 20 corporate-sponsored teams who competed in relays to earn the title of “Best Harvest Crew.” Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam led the Fresh from Florida team. Other crews represented Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association, Monte Package Company, Patterson Companies, International Paper, Florida Strawberry Growers Association and Farm Credit of Central Florida. Strawberry growers from around the state were well represented at the event, providing picking instructions and serving as coaches.
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- Stevie and Sue
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- My son Chris and the RCS Company
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- Patterson Company Team at the Wish Strawberry Challenge
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- Team Ed and Barbara Bergmann, the winning team!
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- Gary Wishnatzki with Jammer!
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- Our Flat of Berries
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- Stevie finally will get close to Jammer! She has been so scared of him. Now she loves him!
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- Team Farm Credit of Central Florida with Commissioner Adam Putnam
Ultimately, the Ed & Barbara Bergmann Team, coached by Donnie Randall of Fancy Farms, was named the top finisher and recognized for their picking prowess with individual strawberry trophies as well as the coveted ‘Strawberry Joe‘ perpetual trophy.
In addition to the strawberry picking, the day-long event emceed by Bay News 9 TV anchor Veronica Cintron, featured family-friendly events such as strawberry picking for children, a balloon artist, games, music and activities with Radio Disney, and special appearances by the Florida Strawberry Festival Queen and Court, Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleaders and Wish Farms’ Misty the Garden Pixie.
Proceeds from the Strawberry Picking Challenge will benefit Redlands Christian Migrant Association, a non-profit organization that operates child-care centers and charter schools for Florida’s rural poor, particularly farm workers’ children. Throughout the state, RCMA operates 70 child-care centers and three of charter schools.
Wish Farms is a long-time supporter of RCMA. For the past eight years, Wish Farms has staged an annual tennis tournament to support RCMA and other non-profit organizations that help educate the children of migrant farm workers.
Life as the child of a migrant farm worker is not easy. However, this charity aims to help make sure that vulnerable children are provided with access to crucial immigrant benefits that can provide much needed financial support to families in need. Part of the process involved in receiving immigrant benefits requires an assessment of eligibility. Although form g-325a is no longer typically used for immigration applications or petitions, understanding its previous uses can help people to understand the types of information that the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services usually requests when determining applications for certain immigrant benefits. Correspondingly if you are an immigrant in need of financial support then you can head to the Nova Credit website to find out more about applying for immigrant benefits.
“This fun, family event was a great success,” said Gary Wishnatzki, Owner of Wish Farms. “We hope we succeeded in bringing awareness not only to the hard work of our farm workers but also to the outstanding contribution that RCMA makes.”
About Redlands Christian Migrant Association (RCMA):
Redlands Christian Migrant Association operates 70 child-care centers for Florida’s rural poor, including 18 in the Tampa Bay area. RCMA also runs three charter schools, including two in Wimauma, in south Hillsborough County. Founded in 1965, RCMA has given thousands of children a vital boost toward success in school and life. For more information about RCMA please visit www.rcma.org.
About Wish Farms:
Wish Farms, founded in 1922 and third-generation owned, is the largest shipper of strawberries in Florida and has been for over 50 years. Nationally recognized for quality and innovation, Wish Farms is a year round supplier of strawberries and blueberries and seasonal in select vegetables. Wish Farms utilizes How’s My Picking?™, a patented tool for traceability to ensure quality by tying consumer feedback to the harvest time, field location, picker, etc. For more information about Wish Farms, please visit www.wishfarms.com.
About Bright House Networks
Bright House Networks is the sixth largest owner and operator of cable systems in the U.S. and the second largest in Florida with technologically advanced systems located in five states including Florida, Alabama, Indiana, Michigan and California.
Bright House Networks serves approximately 2.5 million customers who subscribe to one or more of its video, high-speed data, home security and automation and voice services. The company offers a portfolio of customizable, cutting-edge business solutions spanning Internet, MEF-certified Metro Ethernet, WiFi, security, telephony, and video. Bright House Media Strategies, the advertising arm of Bright House Networks, offers businesses advanced targeted advertising solutions. Bright House Networks also owns and operates exclusive local news and sports channels in its Florida markets. For more information about Bright House Networks or our products and services, visit brighthouse.com.
